Anormalies of colon: their roentgen diagnosis and clinical significance

Lim, N J

Abstract

Since Kantor, in 1934, first remarked on the clinical significance of anomaly of the colon, attention has been directed to this subject by many authors from medical, surgical and radiological view points. In the majority of cases, redundancy of the colon exists without symptoms or complaints, and is usually diagnosed on routine bariumenema examinations. It is true, however, that the anomaly occurs in about 60% of all patients who suffer from chronic constipation, and in about 50% of cases who complained abdominal pain. Furthermore, volvulus is frequently encountered as the most important complication of redundancy. Therefore, it seems to be of interest to reevaluate this subject in Korea. The present author studied the incidence of anomalies of colon and its clinical significance based on 160 consecutive cases of barium enema which were performed during the period of Jan. '59 toOct.' 62 at St. Mary's hospital. In the mean time, the author observed the incidence of diverticulosis of colonand ulcerative colitis which shows geometrical and racial difference in their occurrence. 1. General incidence ofredundancy of the colon was 38% which is higher than the reported. Of those who did not have definite GI complaints 35% showed redundancy. Redundancy also exist in 57% of cases who complained abdominal pain;in 29% ofcases who suffered with abdominal distension; and in 66% of patients who had chronic constipation. 2. Incidence ofhypo-descent was 15%, 60% of which were associated with redundancy. 3. Incidence of hyper-descent was 12%,10% ofwhich were associated with redundancy. 4. There was no case of non-rotation in the present series. 5. There was nocase of colonic diverticulosis or ulcerative colitis indicating that these disease are rare in this country.